Paper box



R. A. GROSS May 13, 1930.

PAPER BOX Filed Oct. 8, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ralph Qflo Grat s-s,

May 13, 1930.

R. A. GROSS PAPER BOX 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed 001;. 8, 1927 """"WHW Rah v7. Gross,

I Patented May 13, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH A GROSS, OF LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO SIMPLEX PAPER BOX '60.,

OF LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA PAPER I BOX Application filed October 8, 1927. Serial. No. 224,859.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described reference being had to 1 the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of my invention selected by me for purposes of illustration, and the said position for; receiving the contents of the box,

whatever this may be, and is essentially-designed as an improvement upon the construction disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 146,079, filed November 4, 1926.

Another object of the .invention is'to provide an improved box construction which may be made from a single thin sheet of paper or cardboard stock and by the peculiar method of. forming the blank and folding the 'box,,;a

container is obtained which is equally as strong,'if not stronger, than similar containers formed of much heavier and more expensive stockf- Still another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for locking the parts in set-up or contents-receiving position which effects a material saving in the cost production of the material employed in the box and also a material saving in the time required to manufacture the article. Ac-

cording to my invention the box comprises two similar collapsible members, namely a bottom and a top, the latter of which is adapted to telescope over the former and both associated together in such manner when assembled as to reinforce each other and thereby add to the rigidity and stability of the box inuse. The parts of'each are so associated with each other that when each is set up in its operative position all danger of accidental collapsingor separation of its members is eliminated. 1

As each part of the completed box which is shown in one of the figures in section is identi'cal except for size,;a specific description of one of the parts will be sufficient and in the drawings accompanying this application the figures may be considered to represent either the top or the bottom of the box.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the blank employed in forming either the topor the bottom. s

Fig. 2 is a similar View of the blank after the reinforcing flaps have been folded over and secured to the side flaps. s

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 s-0 Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the collapsed box showing the side flaps and reinforcing flaps folded over upon the body.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 55 of-Fig k Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing one of the parts of the box partially set up from the collapsed position of Fig. 4 and illustrating the method of holding the locking flaps in position.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 77. of Fig. 6 lookingv in the direction of the arrows. I

Fig. 8 is a similar view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6, looking in-the direction of the arrows. Fig. 9 is a detailed horizontal sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the assembled box showing the top telescoped over the bottom.

In carrying out my invention I preferably 1 take a single sheet of cardboard, pasteboard or other suitable sheet material which can be creased or folded and readily cut into the form illustrated in Fig. 1. The dotted hnes shown in Fig. 1 indicate the several points of folding of the blank I preferably crease or indent the blank upon these lines by pressure instead of scoring theblanks as, is sometimes done, as this latter method, namely scoring,

has-a tendency to weaken the blankand the.

the box at these points.

.- As shown in Fig. lthe blank comprises a the sheet matebody'portion 1, side flaps 2 andend flaps 3.

The side flaps 2 are provided with lateral reinforcing extensions or members 4 preferably formed. integral therewith and having at their outer marginal edges integral tongues or body flaps 5 extending throughout the length of the members 4 and bevelled or mi-. tered at their corners-as shown at 6 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The side flaps 2 also have end extensions or corner connections 7 which are divided into substantialas shown is provided with bevelled or mitered ends 13 adapted to cooperate with the bevelled or mitered ends 6 of the parts 5. These locking flaps also have longitudinal locking extensions- 14 which cooperate with the end this'llposit edges of the reinforcing flaps 4 which as shown are cut away at 15 to provide clearance between the edges of the reinforcing flaps 4 and end flaps 3 when the box is folded- As shown in Fig. 1 there is a crease line 16 between the body 1 and the side flaps 2 and a I similar crease line 17 between the body 1 and the end flaps 3. The crease line 16 has an extension 18 which determines the line of fold between the section 9 and the end flaps 3, and the crease line 17 has an extension 19 which determines the line of fold between the parts 8 and the side-flaps 2; There is a crease line between each of the side flaps 2 and the reinforcing flaps 4 as indicated at 20 and each of the reinforcing flaps is creased along a line, indicated at 21 so that the locking tongues 5 may fold with respect to the reinforcing flaps4. f Where each end flap 3 is joined to the locking flap ll provide another crease line22 and an additi onal crease line 23 is formed at the point of pmcture of the locking flaps 11 with y the locking extension 12.

' When the box' is in the position shown in Fig. 1 the reinforcing flaps 4 and the rein-' forcing tongues 5 are folded over on the line 20 so as to lie against the side flaps 2 and the body 1 respectively, and are secureddn this position in any suitable manner, preferably by applying a suitable adhesive either to the flaps 4 and 5 as shown or to the side flaps 2 p and a portion of the body sufficient to cover the tongue 5. After the parts 4 and 5 have .been secured to the side flaps2 and the body lithe side. flaps arethen folded over upon the dy, theffold taking place upon the lines 16 and 21- as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In v the triangular sections 9 of the cured to the end flaps 3 in any parts ar suitable 'manner, preferably by applying adhesive to the'parts 9 as illustrated.

When folded and secured in this position the part, (either the topor the bottom of the box) is in collapsed form and ready for shipment to the point where it will be set up for use and it will, of course, be understood that in this condition the parts of the box occupy very little space and a great quantity of them may be packedtogetherso that the space occupied thereby will not be any, greater than a very few assembled and set-up boxes. When it is desired to set up the box into contents-receiving position the collapsed blank shown in Fig. 4 is taken in both hands and the side flaps spread apart and simultaneouslyv t erewith the end and locking flaps 3 and 11 arebrought up toward the end edges of the sides and in vertical position as shownat the left of Fig.

6, the parts 7 creasing upon the lines 10 and the sections 8 folding on the lines 19. In this position an inner View of the end of the box presents an appearance similar to that indicated in Fig. 7. In fact when the side flaps are spread apart to occupy a position perpendicular to the body 1 there is asubstantially bellows-like action between the parts 8 and 9 of the flap 7, these parts automatically folding upon the lines 10 and causing the end flaps 3 to rise almost to vertical position. It will also be noticed that when the end flaps are brought into operative position, perpendicular to the body, they will cause the'sections 8 to fold directly over the sections 9 I and effectively reinforce the corners of the box. \Vhen the end and locking flaps 3 and 11 are in the position shown to the left of Fig. 6 the locking fiap'is folded over on the line 22 into parallelism with the end flap which causes the locking tongue to engage the body and fold on the line 23 so as to lie in parallelism with said body. When the locking flap has been brought substantially into contact with the end flaps the projections 14 will snap behind the end edges of the reinforcing flaps 4 and the bevelled edges 13 of thelocking extensions 12 will snap behind the bevelled edges 6 of the locking'tongues 5 as shown at the right of Fig. 6. When both locking flaps 11 have been similarly folded into parallelism with the end flap the side flaps 2 will be held against collapse and the locking flaps 11 will be held at two points against accidental displacement.

Instead of first spreading the side flaps of the 'box into perpendicular relation with the body portion, each box unit may be more quickly set up bysimply raising the end flaps into perpendibular relation with the body which automa ically' causes the corner sections 7 to fold upon the diagonal creases 10 and raise theside flaps into perpendicular relation with the body. All that is then necessary is to .infold the locking flaps into parallelism with theend flaps which produces brittle material is employed.

an automatic interlocking of the extensions 14 with the end edges of the auxiliary side flaps and the bevelled or mitered ends of-the parts and 12. This same general principal of-operation is carried out-in the aforesaid copending application, the distinction in this case being that the extensions 14 are integral and there is a supplemental lockingby the engagement of the mitered ends of the parts I 5 and 12.

very rigid and strong construction, and be-' ing made of a tough thin sheet which is doubled and secured together is considerably stronger than a construction where thick I also wish to call attention to the fact that when thelocking tongues or body flaps 5 are secured to the body 1 as clearly shown in Fig. 3 and the side members 2 and reinforcing members 4 folded on the lines and 21, there is a double thickness of material throughout the side and particularly at the corner connection so that this corner connection between the body and side is materially reinforced. This same condition and result is eflected by the employment of the locking extensions or body flaps 12 which fold down j onto the body on the line 23 and effectively reinforce the corner connection between the flaps 3 and body 1. Under these circumstances even if relatively inferior material is used in the box the weakest points, namely the corner connections, are effectively reinforced and breakage at these points is prevented. It will be further observed that the locking tongues 5 and extensions 12 serve a twofold function in reinforcing the corner connections and serving as a supplemental locking means for holdin the sidesand ends perpendicular to the b0 y.

It will of course be understood that these blanks may beprinted or colored or decorated in any suitable manner while in fiat form.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is v 1. A knockdown 'box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps secured.

thereto, foldable corner connections between v said side and end flaps, reinforcing members secured to certain of sa1d flaps, locking members secured to other of said flaps and adapt ed to coa'ct with the reinforcing members and corner connections-Ito lock the side and end .flaps perpendicular to the body, andsupplemental locking means carried by said locking members and reinforcing members.

2. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps secured thereto, integral reinforcing members secured to the side flaps, the longitudinal dimensions of which are less than the same dimensions of the side flaps, a bellows connection between the side and end flaps, means carried the end'flaps for engaging the' ends of the reinforcing members and the bellows connection to hold the side and end flaps perpendicular to the body and coacting elements on the reinforcingmembers and the aforesaid means to lock said means and members against movement when the box is in operative position.

3. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps foldably connected thereto, foldable corner connections between and integral with said side and end flaps, integal reinforcing members on said side flaps having locking extensions, said reinforcing members folded upon and secured to the side fiaps, the locking extensions thereof being secured to the body and foldable upon the line of fold between the body and the side flaps, and means carried by the end flaps and coacting with the corner connections and locking extensions to lock the side and end flaps perpendicular to the body.

- 41A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps foldably connected thereto, foldable corner connections between and integral with said side and end flaps, integral reinforcing members on said side flaps having locking extensions, said reinforcing members folded upon and secured to the side flaps, the locking extensions thereof being secured to the body and foldable upon the line of fold between the body and the side flaps, and means carried by the end flaps and foldable over the Corner connections and engaged with the reinforcing members to lock the sideand end flaps perpendicular to the body.

5. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps foldably connected thereto, foldable corner connections between and integral with said side and end flaps, integral reinforcing members on said side flaps having locking extensions, said reinforcing members folded upon and secured to the side flaps, the locking extensions thereof being secured to the body and foldable upon the line of fold bet-ween the body the side and end flaps perpendicular to the 6. In a knockdown box unit, a body, side and end flaps foldably connected thereto, foldable corner connections between said side and end'flap's, a portion of each of which is secured to the end flaps, reinforcing members carried by the side flaps and folded thereupon and secured to said side flaps, locking members foldable upon the end flaps and having means coacting with the reinforcing members to lock the side and end flaps perpendicular to the body, said locking members foldable over the corner connections, and supplemental locking means carried by the locking members and the reinforcing members coacting to hold the locking members in folded position over the corner members.

7 A knowdown box unit comprising a body, side and end flaps foldably secured thereto, foldable corner connections between said side and end flaps, a portion of each of which is secured to the end flaps, reinforcing members on the side flaps shorter than said side flaps throughout a portion of theirwidth, said reinforcing members having locking extensions, which with the reinforcing members are folded over and secured to the side flaps and the'body, locking members carried by the end flaps and foldab le thereupon over the corner connections and having locking projections arranged to engage the ends of the reinforcing members, and locking extensions carried by the locking members and arranged to coact with the extensions on the reinforcing members toprovide a supplemental lock fol-holding the locking members and the end flaps perpendicularto the body.

8. A knockdown box' unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps connected thereto, means connecting n18 side and end.

flaps at the corners, locking members connected to certain of said flaps, said locking members and certain of said flaps having portions arranged to provide main interlocking means and also provided with other portions forming supplemental locking means, said main and supplemental locking means adaptad to be brought into interlocking relation when the locking members'are folded upon their connected flaps when thelatter arc in raised position to hold the box in operative position. I

9. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps connected thereto, locking flaps connected to the outer edge of the end flaps and adapted to fold upon the same, connections between the side and end flaps for raising the side flaps into and holding them in operative position when the end flaps are raised, the-side flaps and locking flaps being provided with portions adapted to interlock automatically by the folding of the end flaps when the latter are in raised. position and supplemental locking portions on the locking flaps and side flaps also adapted to automatically interlock when the locking flaps are folded on the end flaps and arranged to cooperate with the main locking portions to hold the box in operative position. i

10. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps connected thereto, foldable corner connections between the side and end flaps, reinforcing members secured to certain of said flaps, locking members secured to other of said flaps, main and supplemental locking elements on said locking members and reinforcing members arranged to automatically coact by the folding of the locking members on the flaps to which they are connected when the latter are in raised position to hold the box in operative position.

, 11. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps secured thereto, foldable corner connections between said side and end flaps, reinforcing members secured to the side flaps and foldable into parallelism therewith, locking members carried by the end flaps and foldable into parallelism therewith, said reinforcing members and locking members having coacting elements c'onflaps on the side flaps and end'flaps con- 1 to abut and lock said auxiliary flaps against movement.

'stru-cted to interlock, and body flaps on said auxiliary flaps having mitered ends arranged ioo 13. A knockdown box unit comprising :1"

body portion, main side-and end flaps secured thereto, auxiliary side flaps connected to and foldable into parallelism with said main side flaps, auxiliary end flaps connected to and fold'able into parallelism with the main end flaps, lateral extensions on said auxiliary end flaps engageable with the adjacentedges of the auxiliary side flaps to locksaid auxiliary end flaps against movement, and body flaps connected to said auxiliary side andend flaps,

said body flaps having mitered ends arranged to abut and form a lockin means to hold the auxiliary end and side ti aps against movement when said auxiliary sideand end flaps are parallel with the main side and end flaps and perpendicular to the body.

14. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, main side and end flaps foldable into perpendicular relation with the body, auxiliary side and end flaps carried by and foldable into parallelism with said main side and end flaps, and extensions carried by said auxiliary side and end flaps'and foldable upon the line of fold of said main side and end flaps with thebody, the extensions on the auxiliary side flaps being secured to the body, said extensions having mitered ends arranged to abut and lock the auxiliary side and end flaps against movement.

15. A knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, main side and end flaps, fold- 5 able corner connections between said side and end flaps, auxiliary side and end flaps connected to and foldable into parallelism with .the main side and end flaps, certain of said auxiliary flaps adapted to enclose said corner 0 connections when folded upon a main flap and I provided with lateral extensions to engage the end edges of other of said auxiliary flaps, and extensions on said auxiliary side and end flaps having mitered endsarranged to abut when the-main and auxiliary flaps are perpendicular to the body to lock said side and end auxiliary flaps against movement and to hold the box in operative position.

16. An integral knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps con-c nected thereto, and diagonally scored corner portions integral with the adjacent side and end flaps, and adapted to fold upon themselves and upon the inner face of the end flaps,

' the sections of each of said corner portions integral with an adjacent end flap being per manently secured thereto, each side flap and end'flap having an integral coextensive interior flap, and a locking flap integral with its an outer edge for engaging the body portion, the

interior end flaps folding over the folded corner sections, the adjacent ends of the side and end locking flaps being mitered and having a locking engagement when the box is erected.

. 17. An integral knockdown box unit comprising a body portion, side and end flaps connected thereto, and diagonally scored corner portions integral with the adjacent side and end flaps, and adapted to fold upon them- 40 selves and upon the inner face of the end flaps,

the sections of each of said corner portions integral with an adj acent end flap being permanently secured thereto, each side flap and end flap having an integral coextensive interior flap, and a locking flap integral with its outer edge for engaging the body portion, the locking flaps of the side portions being permanently secured to the body portion and having, beveled ends, the interior end flaps folding over the folded corner sections, and the looking flaps of the interior end flaps having their ends beveled to engage the beveled ends of the permanently secured locking flaps of the interior side flaps. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RALPH A. GROSS. 

